Weekly Round up of results up to the 17th June 2015

Another weekend is looming at Phoenix CC so its time to update you on the previous weeks fixtures.

Firstly its worth pointing out a couple of solid wins from our Youth section that I know about (if there are more let me know!). Our U13 A team travelled to Pembroke last Saturday morning and had a comfortable victory against a good Pembroke side.

Last night our U15 team went to Malahide to take on their under 15 side. I know a bit more about this one as Evan Chester was skipper and gave me a blow by blow account. Or team was Evan, Hassan, Sankeerth, Marc, Adam Fahy, Adam Gibson McKenna, Harry Fay, Louis, Hazaifah, Bilal and Tomas Regan. Batting first Phoenix made 110 with almost all the Phoenix batsmen scoring some runs and getting to double figures which was a big improvement on their first game of the season against Clontarf. Among the notable scores Evan scored 13, Adam Gibson McKenna scored 17 Louis scored 15 . A solid score which Phoenix set about defending with lots of energy. Malahide were well short in reply losing by 50 runs. Adam Fahy got 2 wickets, Evan got 1 ,Marc Brazil got 2 Sankeerth got 3 and Harry Fay got 2. Well done to Coach Anderson for helping the boys get their first win of the season!

Onto the adult fixtures last week

Saturday 13th June

2nds v Laois -Togher Division 3

Another tough day for Adam Chester’s 2nd XI this time down in the midlands. Player availability is definitely an issue with state exam seasons still running last week and a number of other players unavailable for other committments. 4th team regulars Grant White, Dev Dismore, Adam Bampfield and Sarfraz were all called up. Phoenix batted first and were all out for 113- Grant White top scored followed closely by extras. The only other items worth mentioning were skipper Chesters bat breaking in two and popping the ball up to a Laois fielder as he tried to re build the Phoenix innings and Grant top edged the ball into his face to give him a serious new “hard” look as he approaches his 50th birthday this weekend! 113 was never defendable although Thomas Anders got two wickets. There were up to 7 players missing for this game but this should settle down next week as players return.

4ths v Greystones 2 – Rathdrum Intermediate Cup

The 4ths report is courtesy of William Clarke.

While waiting for the grass to flourish on their new home in Druid’s Glen, Greystones are bringing their brand of cricket to the wider population in Wicklow. This meant a trip down M11 to Rathdrum for the Phoenix 4th XI for the first round of the Intermediate Cup. With Grant, Dev, Adam and Sarfraz heading down to Laois to play for the 2s, the 4s had a much changed team from the win over Mullingar. John, Raj and Willie were the only 3 survivors from that win.

Greystones won the toss and elected to bat first on probably best day of the year so far. Clarke removed the opener with his 4th ball of the day. Denis Kearney took the new ball from the other end.Both bowled well and were supported in the field with energy and commitment. Denis was rewarded for a fine spell of bowling when James McDonough took a good catch at mid-off.Anders replaced Clarke and nearly had a wicket first ball but he just couldn’t get a hand on a sharp caught and bowled chance. McDonough replaced Kearney and proceeded to bowl a fine spell which saw him take 3 wickets. The Greystones batsmen dug in and took advantage of any loose balls to keep the score board moving. Anders was rewarded for his persistence when he removed the top scorer with an in-swinging yorker.

Anders was replaced by Michael Fahy who bowled a few overs. He was replaced by Ronan Harris whose height and bounce added another dimension to the bowling. This was very evident when little Evan Chester came on from the other end. Evan showed his game has progressed really well since last season by bowling with some pace and accuracy.

Greystones were bowled out for 199 off the last ball of the innings thanks to a few run-outs.

After tea, Raj and Shahzad took to the stage. Unfortunately, their performances were brief with Raj edging behind and the Doc inches short coming back for a second run. Michael Fahy came in at number 3. Again his time at the crease was all too brief. The responsibility for rebuilding the innings fell on the young shoulders of Callum Gillespie and the experienced (not old!) shoulders of Aidan Chester. Both showed great patience while still putting the bad ball away. The rebuilding was slow but no wickets fell and the pair got to drinks. Following some encouragement from his follow players, The Admiral opened his shoulders and tried to push the run rate on. This lead to his dismissal for a well-made 18. CSI Tallaght (aka Ronan Harris) was in next. A combination of an ever-growing run rate and his need to be in work at 7 meant some attacking strokes were played. Ronan and Callum were dismissed next.

At 84 for 6, all seemed lost. Would Phoenix make 100? Well, they did in some style!

James McDonough and Evan Chester came together and showed that the future in Phoenix is bright. With aggressive batting and smart running, they set about putting some respectability on the score board. Shot of the day was probably Evan’s flick over square leg for 6. Shows it is not all about power. Timing is key.

Between them, they put on 92*. James finished up on 41* which included 5 fours. Evan finished up on 47* which included 3 sixes and a number of fours.

This reporter hopes that the confidence gained by the guys in this match will be carried forward into the rest of the season.

While the bowlers worked hard, this game was lost due to the lack of a strong fifth bowler. But that is cricket.

Anyway, the cups are gone for 2015. Time to concentrate on the league.

Next up is a home game (yes, a home game) on Sunday against Sandyford 2.

I only have the scorecard for this one but Civil Service proved too strong for Niall Blacks team but as always plenty of positive performances. Service won the toss and batted first scoring 205-9. It could have been over 300 but some good bowling from Phoenix youngsters Hassan Azam (3-24) and Adam Gibson MCKenna (3-24) and not so young Paddy KEating 2-66 (sorry Paddy!) restricted Civil Service. The Phoenix reply never got going with only Alan Maginnis (22) and Hassan (19) getting into double figures.

Sunday 14th June

3rds v Malahide 3 – Phoenix Division 5

Courtesy of Conrad Jones (we think!) this report comes in for Sundays Division 5 fixture in the Park.

On a sunny Sunday Phoenix 3s took on last years division 5 winners Malahide 3s. The team that took to the field was Graham Morris Sayed Shah Ian Anders Sean Tomlinson Naeem Shazad Michael Godwin Phillip Tomlinson Aaron Joseph Safraz Ramay Adam Bampfield and Conrad Jones. Graham won the toss (so he says) and opted to field on what looked to be quite a good batting track. Aaron (1 for 56) and Ian Anders (2 for 29) took the new ball and kept it tight. Ian took 1 in his first spell caught behind . Graham Morris (2 for 19) and Safraz Ramay (2 for 33) replaced the opening two and a combination of good fielding and good bowling put the brakes on Malahide. At drinks Malahide where 72 for 2. After drinks Malahide tried to up the ante but a good catch from Phil Tomlinson, followed up by Graham Morris, Conrad Jones (2) and Sayed with some solid death by bowling by Sean Tomlinson (1 for 35), Ian and Aaron restricted Malahide to a very chaseble 180 for 8 off their 45 overs.

After tea Ian and Sayed opened the batting and put on solid start. After 17 overs Phoenix looked to be cruising at 80 for 1 however this quickly became 83 for 3 when Ian was caught behind ,Sayed was stumped (controversially) and Sean managed to pop a full toss up to mid on. A rebuilding job needed to be done so Adam and Micheal (the voice of Reason-really Conrad??) Godwin took up the reins and looked to have tamed the Malahide attack. Then there was a flashpoint in the game happened when Adam defended a ball with his bat the ball rolled back and Adam defended it again with his bat to which Malahide appealed. The umpire upheld the appeal even though we explained that there wasnt a law that covered the dismissal. Regardless he upheld the decision and the game atmosphere changed. At 125 for 4 Phoenix still looked very much on course but then Micheal lost his wicket to a very good catch and 145 for 5 quickly became 150 for 6 as Phil and Aaron fell shortly afterwards. This was quickly followed by Naeem. So with 25 still needed to win and Safraz and Graham at the wicket both played sensible cricket taking the singles ,the odd boundary and the odd extra! Each run was greeted by cheers from the side (except yours truly who was number 11 and trying to keep cool). With thhe second ball of the 43rd over the winning runs came courtesy of 5 wides. A really good close game (as Phoenix 3rds seem to always have-thats the 4th on the trot!). If you crave entertainment then the 3s are the team to watch!

As a foot note after the the game a point was made to go into the Malahide dressing room to invite them for a drink to make sure there where no hard feelings. The umpire did come and apologised for making a wrong decision and we also apologised for the verocity of our objections (good band name) so all was good in the end!